ONLINE SOCCER GAMES SITE

http://www.soccer-corner.com/Games.Online-Soccer-Games.htm
Footie Manager
Great online football championship manager game.
Simsoc web soccer
Features English, Italian, Aussie & World Cup tournaments + 3D match highlights.
Sunday League
Multi-player online humorous soccer simulation game.
4-3-3
Online football management game.
Free Fantasy Football
Play free fantasy football. Pick your fantasy players from the Premiership, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga.
Free Flash Soccer Game
Webbased Flash soccer game to play online.
Maninio
Der Online Fussball Manager für Fussballmanager Fans.
Sidewinder Prediction League
Online football predictions game for the real fans.
Soccer Boss
Football management game brings you the excitement of traditional management sims with the immediacy of the internet.
Soccer Superstars
Try this great football management game.
Universal Soccer Manager
PC based soccer management game with great features.
E-Soccer-League
Online Fussball Manager Spiel für Fussball Fans.
FootballdotManager
Multi-player football management game to play on your computer or over the internet.
Football-O-Rama
Soccer Management Game - Online since 2002.
Football's Dream
Russian online football manager game.
Hattrick
Online footy manager games with great and comprehensive collection of players.
ManagerZone
Online football management game with over 110.000 members.
Online Soccer Manager
Dutch online football management game.
Real Manager
RealManager.co.uk offers an in-depth online multiplayer football management game.
So you think you know football?
The online soccer trivia game.
Strategic Soccer
Strategic Soccer is a fantasy simulated multiplayer soccer / football management game.
Manager 4 Real
prove your football manager skills with this online football management game

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC PROFILE

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

8
country: Sweden

born in: Malmo
on: October 3 1981
position: Forward
height: 192 cm
weight: 84 kg

Born in Sweden to a Croatian mother and a Bosnian father, Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a name for himself at the tender age of ten in a match for Balkan's 12-year-olds against Vellinge. With Balkan 4-0 down at half time, Zlatan came off the bench and scored eight goals to give his team an 8-5 victory. Ibra joins Inter after three years at Malmo, four at Ajax and two with Juventus. When unveiled to the media at Angelo Moratti Sports Centre, he declared: "As a boy, I always supported Inter." Zlatan scored a goal on his debut for Swedens U-21s against Macedonia, and represented his country at full international level for the first time on 31 January 2001 in a match against Faroe Islands. He scored his first goal for the national team after coming on as a substitute in a World Cup qualifying victory over Azerbaijan. Named in Sweden's 2002 World Cup squad at the age of 20, Ibrahimovic quickly became a regular fixture in the Scandinavian team. A player with a knack of producing the extraordinary, he scored a sublime backheeled flick to earn Sweden a 1-1 draw with Italy at Euro2004. Self-critical and instinctive, with great character and a slightly rebellious nature, Zlatan is an agile and acrobatic player despite his tall frame.

ADRIANO PROFILE

LEITE RIBEIRO ADRIANO

10
country: Brazil

born in: Rio de Janeiro
on: February 17 1982
position: Forward
height: 189 cm
weight: 87 kg

An agile and powerful forward, Adriano counts exceptional ball control among his many talents. World champion with the Brazilian Under-17 team in 1999, it took Adriano just eight minutes to win over the Nerazzurri fans: in his first appearance in black and blue, the striker scored against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy in 2001. Back his native country, Adriano scored after just five minutes on his debut for Flamengo and in the same match made three assists for his team-mates. Like former Inter forward Ronaldo, Adriano grew up in the 'favelas' (shanty towns) in Rio de Janeiro. Adriano's idol is Zico. After stints on loan to Fiorentina and Parma, Adriano returned to Inter in January 2004 and scored vital goals as the Nerazzurri battled for fourth place in the league. Adriano won the 2004 Copa America in Peru with Brazil, beating Cristian Kily Gonzalez and Javier Zanetti's Argentina in the final. He finished the competition as top scorer with seven goals and was nominated best player of the final and the tournament. After helping Inter to their fourth Coppa Italia triumph in June 2005 with two stunning goals at the Olimpico, Adriano inspired Brazil to a 4-1 victory over Cambiasso and J.Zanetti's Argentina in the Confederations Cup final in Germany. The Emperor was named best player of the tournament and was also top scorer with five goals.

LUIS FIGO PROFILE

LUIS FILIPE MADEIRA CAEIRO FIGO

7
country: Portugal

born in: Almada (POR)
on: November 4 1972
position: Midfielder
height: 180 cm
weight: 75 kg

Luis Figo is one of the most recognisable faces in football. To quote the late Inter president Giacinto Facchetti, the Portuguese star is "a player who has written the most important pages of European and world football in recent years". Figo began his career at Sporting Lisbon and made his name as part of the 'golden generation' of Portuguese youngsters who won World U16 and U20 titles in 1989 and 1990. In 1995 he moved to Spain and in a five-year spell at Barcelona won a string of trophies, including two league titles and a European Cup Winners' Cup. More success followed at Real Madrid, where in another five-year stint Figo added two more league titles and a Champions League. FIFA World Player of the Year in 2001, Figo is Portugal's most-capped player with well over a century of appearances for his country.

PATRICK VIEIRA PROFILE

PATRICK VIEIRA

14
country: France

born in: Dakar (Senegal)
on: June 23 1976
position: Midfielder
height: 192 cm
weight: 82 kg

One of the most complete central midfielders in the world, Patrick Vieira joins Inter after two seasons at Juventus, nine at Arsenal, one at AC Milan and two and a half at Cannes, where he captained the team aged just 19. Vieira made his international debut in a match against Holland on 26 February 1997, and took over from Zidane as captain of France after the 2006 World Cup. In between he won a World Cup in 1998 and a European Championship in 2000. Strength, precision, elegance and character. Vieira is a hard tackler whose distribution is excellent. He often scores vital penalty-area goals with both his head and feet. A charismatic figure on and off the pitch, he is an example for his team-mates. Patrick Vieira scored twice on his competitive debut for Inter as the Nerazzurri came back from three goals down to beat Roma and lift the 2006 Italian Super Cup.

ESTEBAN MATIAS CAMBIASSO PROFILE

ESTEBAN MATIAS CAMBIASSO

19
country: Argentina

born in: Buenos Aires (Arg)
on: August 18 1980
position: Midfielder
height: 177 cm
weight: 78 kg

He was one of the youngest footballing talents to come to Europe. At the age of sixteen, Esteban Matìas Cambiasso joined Real Madrid from Argentinos Juniors in 1996. Six years later Esteban reaped what he'd sown. It was the European Super Cup final against Feyenoord in Monaco and Cambiasso, 22 at the time, gave a sizzling display to help Real Madrid win 3-1 and lift the only trophy that had previously eluded them. That match marked a turning point in the career of Cambiasso, who after the move to Europe went back to Argentina where he became known as 'El Cuchu', and played for Independiente (98 appearances, 14 goals) then River Plate (37 appearances, 12 goals). He was part of the Argentina Under-20 side at the 1997 World Youth Championship in Malaysia and played two international Under-20 tournaments in South America in 1997 and 1999. After the night as prince in the principality, Esteban was considered a 'real' Real player. In 2002/03 he collected 24 appearances in the Liga and 9 in the Champions League, and won both the Spanish title and the Intercontinental Cup. Cambiasso, whose contract with the Spaniards expired on 30 June 2004, played 11 Liga matches and 5 Champions League games in 2003/04 and won a Spanish Super Cup. Real relied on the midfielder in the final stages of what was a turbulent season and Esteban was always among the best performers when called into action. Esteban Matias Cambiasso holds an Italian passport (his family has origins from the province of Genoa).

JAVIER ZANETTI PROFILE

JAVIER ZANETTI
4
country: Argentina

born in: Buenos Aires
on: August 10 1973
position: Defender
height: 178 cm
weight: 75 kg

An indefatigable right-back, Javier Zanetti defends and attacks with supreme confidence. He grew up in the harbour area of Buenos Aires, in Dock Sud district. Still as a child, Zanetti combined scholastic and working commitments, helping his bricklayer father without neglecting his passion for football. He began playing football on a pitch in the suburbs of the city, and personally took care of pitch maintenance. In 1992 at the age of just nineteen he met Paula, who became his wife seven years later. Today, Paula Zanetti, daughter of a university teacher, dedicates herself to photography with good results, She enjoys 'immortalising' Javier from the touchline during Inter's home matches. Javier Zanetti considers the most best moment of his career the UEFA Cup final Inter won in Paris thanks to the goal he scored. His role model is former Inter player Lothar Matthaeus. His favorite actors are Tom Cruise and Demi Moore, but his favourite film is 'When a Man Loves a Woman' with Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan. Zanetti doesn't consider himself a superstitious person, but before each match does the sign of the cross when taking to the pitch, just like his best friend and former team-mate Ivan Zamorano. Together with his wife Paula, Javier set up the Pupi Foundation, a charity organisation which helps underprivileged children in Argentina. Zanetti made his 500th competitive appearance for the Nerazzurri in the Champions League home match against Bayern Munich on 27 September 2006.

WALTER ANDRIAN SAMUEL PROFILE

WALTER ADRIAN SAMUEL

25
country: Argentina

born in: Firmat (Argentina)
on: March 22 1978
position: Defender
height: 183 cm
weight: 83 kg

Walter Samuel is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders around. A mainstay in the Argentine national team, Samuel made a name for himself in the Serie A with over 15,000 minutes of competitive football in 173 matches for Roma between 2000 and 2004. Samuel played a key role in his debut season at the Olimpico, helping Roma win the Scudetto with his solid performances at the back. Nicknamed 'The Wall' for obvious reasons, Samuel joined Inter after a season at Real Madrid.

MARCO MATERAZZI PROFILE

MARCO MATERAZZI

23
country: Italy

born in: Lecce
on: August 19 1973
position: Defender
height: 193 cm
weight: 92 kg
A central defender who is highly skilled in making tackles, Materazzi is virtually infallible when it comes to taking free kicks and penalties - evidence of his unquestionable technical abilities. Materazzi has followed his father into the game. Giuseppe Materazzi won domestic and international fame as a coach, having guided teams such as Pisa, Lazio, Bari, Padova, Brescia, Piacenza, Sporting Lisbon and Chinese side Tianjin Teda. Marco began his playing career at amateur level on the dusty pitches of the Sicilian Serie C. In the 2000/01 season, Materazzi equalled the scoring record for a defender in the Italian Serie A with 12 goals for Inter. The record was previously held by Argentine Daniel Passarella, who scored 11 goals for Fiorentina during the 1985/86 season. Marco made his international debut on 25 April 2001 in Italy's 1-0 win against South Africa in a friendly match and was in the Azzurri squad at Japan/Korea 2002 and at Euro2004. It was Materazzi's coach at Perugia, Ilario Castagner, who recommended former national team coach Trapattoni to put him in defence. "I had already suggested Marco's name to Trapattoni's collaborator Ghedin," said Castagner about the defender. "He's deserved a chance like that for a long time.". And Materazzi certainly took his chances for Italy at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, with a series of polished performances in defence and vital goals against Czech Republic in the group stage and France in the final as the Azzurri went on to win the tournament.

FABIO GROSSO PROFILE

FABIO GROSSO

11
country: Italy

born in: Roma
on: November 28 1977
position: Defender
height: 190 cm
weight: 82 kg

Grosso spent the early years of his playing career in the lower divisions. He played four seasons at amateur side Renato Curi, three at Chieti (Serie C2), one at Teramo (Serie C2) and three at Perugia (Serie A) before signing for Palermo in January 2004. After helping the Sicilians gain promotion from Serie B, Grosso played two top-flight seasons with the Rosaneri before signing a four-year deal with Inter ahead of the 2006 World Cup. He won his first international cap in 2003, becoming a regular fixture in the Azzurri squad two years later. Part of Italy's squad at Germany 2006, Fabio Grosso played a big part in the Azzurri's World Cup triumph. He netted a vital extra-time goal against the host nation in the semi-finals and scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out against France in the final to give Italy their fourth World Cup title. Fabio's World Cup exploits won him a place in FOX Sports' list of the top ten perfect performances. "Italian defender Fabio Grosso didn't just produce a perfect play or a perfect match in the 2006 World Cup. He had a perfect month. Consider: He was a rock-solid outside back on a defence that reached the final without allowing a goal to the opposition", wrote FOX. An attacking midfielder in the early stages of his career, Grosso switched to a left-sided defensive midfield position at Perugia. Due to his versatility Grosso can play at full-back in a flat back four or as a winger in a five-man midfield. Adept at free kicks from distance, he is also a specialist penalty taker.

SOARES ESPINDOLA JULIO CESAR PROFILE

SOARES ESPINDOLA JULIO CESAR

12
country: Brazil

born in: Rio De Janeiro (BRA)
on: September 3 1979
position: Goalkeeper
height: 186 cm
weight: 79 kg

After six and a half seasons at Flamengo, Julio Cesar spent six months at Serie A side ChievoVerona to get used to an Italian football environment before completing a summer move to Inter. Considered one of the hottest goalkeeping prospects around, he kept goal for Brazil in their 2004 Copa America triumph. Julio Cesar is not just good with his hands, he's also useful with his feet and takes penalties for both club and country and well as saving them

FRANCESCO TOLDO PROFILE

FRANCESCO TOLDO

1
country: Italy

born in: Padova
on: December 2 1971
position: Goalkeeper
height: 196 cm
weight: 90 kg

A goalkeeper of extraordinary skill, Francesco Toldo is highly reactive between the posts and displays supreme confidence when coming out to meet high balls. .. Toldo 'grew up', in the footballing sense, in AC Milan's youth sector Between the ages of 19 and 23, he went from playing in the Serie C2 (with Trento) to the Serie A (with Fiorentina) in just four seasons; During his career he has always worked under exceptional coaches - Alberto Cavasin, Francesco Guidolin, Claudio Ranieri, Alberto Malesani, Giovanni Trapattoni, Fatih Terim, Hector Cuper, Alberto Zaccheroni and Roberto Mancini. At international level, Toldo made his debut for the Azzurri in Croatia v Italy on 8 October 1995. He came on for Luca Bucci, who was red-carded ten minutes into the match after replacing the injured Angelo Peruzzi in the starting line-up. The match finished 1-1 and Toldo was among the best players on the field. Several years later in June 2000, with just one week until the start of Euro 2000 in Holland and Belgium, Gianluigi Buffon broke his hand. Francesco Toldo took over as number one keeper for the Azzurri and proved to be a world class player with his penalty-saving heroics against Holland to book Italy's place in the final against eventual winners France. Toldo announced his retirement from international football after Italy were eliminated from Euro 2004 at the group stage. He said: "Only Inter now." Toldo began playing football as right-back for a team in the province of Padua, until the fortuitous absence of the side's goalkeeper for a championship match led the coach to put Francesco between the posts. He was thirteen when that happened, and hasn't changed position since

50 GREATEST PLAYERS IN 2006

1)ZIDANE 2)CANNAVARO 3)RONALDINHO 4)PIRLO 5)LAMPARD 6)GERRARD 7)DROGBA 8)JUNINHO 9)BALLACK 10)KLOSE 11)HENRY 12)KAKA 13)RODRIGUEZ 14)TERRY 15)BUFFON 16)PODOLSKI 17)RONALDO 18)ROBBEN 19)SCHWEINSTEIGER 20)HARGREAVES 21)ESSIEN 22)VEIRA 23)FABREGAS 24)TONI 25)VILLA 26)LEHNMANN 27)GROSSO 28)CRISTIANO R 29)SAGNOL 30)RIBERY 31)ROSICKY 32)DECO 33)MANICHE 34)TOTTI 35)CROUCH 36)ASHLEY COLE 37)SAHA 38)GIGGS 39)ROONEY 40)TORRES 41)EDISON MENDEZ 42)TOURE 43)ROBERTO CARLOS 44)JOE COLE 45)SCHOLES 46)NAKAMURA 47)NISTELROOY 48)RIO FERDINAND 49)CECH 50)VAN DER VAART

CAMBIASSO WINS GOLDEN PIRATE AWARD(THE BEST INTER PLAYER OF THE YEAR)

MILAN - Argentine midfielder Esteban CAMBIASSO ESTEBAN MATIAS]" href="http://www.inter.it/aas/squadra/player1?codgioc=G0768&L=en&stagione=2006/07">Cambiasso is the twentieth winner of the Pirata d'Oro (Golden Pirate), an annual award given by Inter Club San Pietro Nerazzurra Seveso members to the best Inter player of the year.CAMBIASSO ESTEBAN MATIAS]" href="http://www.inter.it/aas/squadra/player1?codgioc=G0768&L=en&stagione=2006/07">Cambiasso thanked IC San Pietro Nerazzurra president Giancarlo Belotti and the fans in attendance at Thursday evening's ceremony, expressing his great satisfaction for the award and promising to give his all to deserve the faith and warmth of Inter fans.Also in attendance were Bedy Moratti, Gabriele Oriali, Inter and Italy Under-21 defender Marco ANDREOLLI MARCO]" href="http://www.inter.it/aas/squadra/player1?codgioc=G0782&L=en&stagione=2006/07">Andreolli, Evaristo Beccalossi and Fausto Sala of the Inter Club Coordination Centre. The evening was brought to a close with a lottery, all proceeds from which will go to charity. The Pirata d'Oro award, a 20cm-high gold sculpture of the club's logo on a marble base, is named after former Inter midfielder Giampiero 'The Pirate' Marini, who collected 375 appearances in ten years with the Nerazzurri. Golden Pirate award, past winners:1986 Giuseppe Baresi1987 Walter Zenga1988 Riccardo Ferri1989 Andreas Bremhe1990 Giuseppe Bergomi1991 Lothar Matthäus1992 Davide Fontolan1993 Ruben Sosa1994 Nicola Berti1995 Gianluca Pagliuca1996 Javier Zanetti1997 Youri Djorkaeff1998 Ronaldo1999 Benoit Cauet2000 Laurent Blanc2001 Giuseppe Prisco2002 Christian Vieri2003 Emre Belozoglu2004 Adriano2005 Esteban Cambiasso

IF YOU COULD SIGN ANY PLAYER IN THIS WORLD,WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE IN 23 PLAYERS?

GOAL KEEPERS=1)________2)________3)________ DEFENDERS=1)________2)_______3)________4)________5)________6)________7)________8)________ MADFIELDER=1)________2)________3)________4)_________5)________6)_______7)_________8)_________ STRIKERS=1)________2)_______3)_______4)________

IF YOU BE A MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER WHAT PLAYERS WILL YOU SELLERS AND BUYERS TO COMPLETE 23 PLAYERS IN TEAM?

SELLERS=___________ BUYERS=__________ GOAL KEEPERS=1)_________2)_________3)________ DEFENDERS=1)_________2)__________3)________4)_________5)_________6)________7)________8)_______ MADFIELDERS=1)________2)_________3)_________4)________5)_______6)________7)________8)_________ STIKERS=1)_________2)________3)________4)________

IF YOU BE A BRAZIL MANAGER WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE IN 23 PLAYERS?

GOAL KEEPERS=1)________2)________3)________ DEFENDERS=1)________2)_______3)________4)________5)_________6)________7)________8)_______ MADFIELDERS=1)_________2)________3)________4)_______5)_______6)________7)_________8)_________ STRIKERS=1)_________2)________3)________4)_______

IF YOU BE A GERMANY MANAGER WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE IN 23 PLAYERS?

GOAL KEEPERS=1)_______2)________3)________ DEFENDERS=1)________2)_______3)________4)_________5)_________6)________7)________8)________ MIDFIELDERS=1)________2)________3)_________4)________5)________6)_________7)_________8)_________ STRIKERS=1)_________2)_______3)________4)_________

IF YOU BE A ITALY MANAGER WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE IN 23 PLAYERS?

GOAL KEEPERS=1)________2)________3)_______ DEFENDERS=1)_________2)________3)________4)________5)________6)________7)________8)________ MIDFIELDERS=1)________2)________3)_________4)________5)_________6)_________7)_________8)_________ STRIKERS=1)_________2)________3)________4)__________

IF YOU BE A FRANCE MANAGER WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE IN 23 PLAYERS?

GOAL KEEPERS=1)________2)________3)_______ DEFENDERS=1)________2)________3)_________4)_________5)_________6)_________7)________8)________ MIDFIELDERS=1)_________2)_________3)_________4)________5)________6)_________7)________8)_________ STRIKERS=1)_________2)________3)_________4)_________

IF YOU BE A ENGLAND MANAGER WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE IN 23 PLAYERS?

GOAL KEEPERS =1)________2)________3)_________ DEFENDERS=1)________ 2)________3)__________4)__________5)________6)_________ 7)_________8)_________ MIDFIELDERS=1)________2)________ 3)_________ 4)_________5)_________6)___________7)___________8)_________ STRIKERS=1)_________2)___________3)___________4)_________

Bayern Munich History (1900-2000 A century of succsess)

The first 100 years of Bayern Munich's history - and its success story - begin and end with the name Franz. Is it just a coincidence that the leader of the eleven spirited rebels who met to form FC Bayern in the Gisela Restaurant in Munich on the night of 27th February 1900, was a certain Franz John? Or that it was a Franz who masterminded the split from MTV 1879, the original club, which had suppressed every attempt by the footballers at independence? Is it only chance that exactly a century later, another Franz, this time Beckenbauer, would lead Bayern Munich, now an experienced and visionary club with countless titles to its name, into the new millennium as its president?Much time and many other differences separate now from then. Franz John co-founded and built Bayern up from nothing and was delighted with relatively modest results, like Bayern's 7-1 victory in their first match against their former team, MTV 1879. But John also gave this 'cavalier' club its first individual touch.In the early days, people recognised Bayern, then known as Schwabinger Bayern, by the players' straw hats. In his turn, Franz Beckenbauer would help make Bayern Munich what it is today: an international club with millions of fans, an institution reaching way beyond German football.Not in his wildest dreams could Franz John have imagined that future, or that his team would one day be German champions, European Cup Champions and even World Club Championship winners. Nor could he have imagined that nearly a century later, on a mild spring day in 1999, Beckenbauer would meet the world's leading heads of state, and no less than the British prime minister, Tony Blair, would whisper to him that he was the most famous person there.Clearly something incredible happened in the 100 years between Franz and Franz.

Stadium Allianz Arena

Bayern will take possession of their spectacular new home ground in time for the 2005-6 season. The venerable Olympic stadium and its uniquely elegant glazed roof came to symbolise the city of Munich around the world, but one can only guess at the likely impact of the breathtaking Allianz Arena as the new landmark symbol of the city and especially Bayern Munich.The 66,000 capacity Allianz Arena, set to host the Opening Match of the 2006 World Cup, is reckoned to be Europe's most modern stadium. The exterior provides its most extraordinary feature: at Bayern home games, a cascade of red will be projected onto the smooth translucent shell, transforming the structure into a luminous beacon visible for miles around.Once inside, facilities for fans and business guests encompass the widest imaginable range, with a vast choice of catering, entertainment and leisure areas, Halls of Fame, crèche and kindergarten services, fan megastores, offices and conference rooms to name but a few. No less than 6,500 square metres will be given over to restaurant, snack and bar areas.The die-hard fans will be stunned at how close they are to the pitch. Unlike the Olympic stadium, there is no running track and no curve at the ends of the ground, a feature warmly welcomed by Felix Magath on his first visit to the site. "I really don't know if there's another stadium where the spectators are as close as here at the Allianz Arena. After taking it all in, I'm already looking forward to the season after next," the 51 year-old remarked.Bayern general manager Uli Hoeneß shared the coach's enthusiasm and agreed he could hardly wait until completion on 30 April 2005. "We'll see history written at this stadium," the senior official declared, "my hope is we'll play dream football next year at this dream stadium."

Claudio Pizarro Profile

Unlucky Claudio Pizarro was out of contention for Felix Magath's early-season starting line-up even before the 2004-5 campaign had started. The player nicknamed 'Pizza' sustained a serious fracture of the skull on Copa America duty for Peru and had to accept a lengthy lay-off from competitive action, but he will be pressing his claim to a starting berth the minute his recovery is complete. The hard-running striker has come on nicely in his time at Bayern, scoring a total of 41 Bundesliga goals in the last three seasons and emerging as a leading personality in the dressing room. The admiration is mutual: Pizarro recently committed his future to the club until June 2007.

Position
Striker
Date & place of birth
3 October 1978 in Lima (Peru)
Star sign
Libra
Nickname
'Pizza'
Height/weight/shoe size
1.84 m / 85 kg / 10.5
Marital status
Married to Karla SalcedoTwo children (Claudio, Antonella)
Education
Grammar school
Attributes
Shy, honest, fun-loving
Hobbies
Golf, movies, my family
Motto
'Learn from your mistakes!'
Homepage
http://www.claudiopizarro.com/
Previous clubs
Deportivo Pesquero Chimbote (1996-97)Alianza Lima (1997-99)Werder Bremen (1999-01)
Date signed
1 July 2001
Contract until
30 June 2007
Career record
World Club Cup 2001German championship 2003, 2005DFB German Cup 2003, 2005League Cup 2004

Roy Rudolphus Anton Makaay Profile

The ongoing story of Roy Rudolphus Anton Makaay and Bayern Munich begins nearly a year before the prolific Dutch ace finally arrived to play for the club. On 18 September 2002, he single-handedly stunned the German giants with a hat-trick for Deportivo La Coruna in the Spaniards' crushing 3-2 Champions League victory at the Olympic stadium. Bayern kept a very close eye on the striker's movements from that day on and landed their man the following summer for a club record transfer fee. Makaay immediately set about repaying the investment, scoring an astonishing 31 goals in Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League matches in his first term. "There's no secret," the modest, model pro declares, "it's what I do."

Position
Forward
Date & place of birth
9 March 1975 in Wijchen (Netherlands)
Star sign
Pisces
Nickname
-
Height/weight/shoe size
1.88 m / 81 kg / 9
Marital status
married (to Joyce), 2 children (Milou, Dani)
Education
High school
Attributes
calm and collected, friendly, determined, prolific scorer
Hobbies
Tennis, computing, family
Homepage
http://www.roymakaay.nl/
Motto
-
Previous clubs
Vitesse Arnheim (1993-97)CD Tenerife (1997-99)Deportivo La Coruna (1999-2003)
Date signed
4 August 2003
Contract until
30 June 2008
Career record
German championship 2005, 2006German Cup 2005, 2006League Cup 2004Spanish championship 2000Spanish Cup 2002Spanish Supercup 2001, 2003Top scorer in Europe and Spain and winner of 2003 EMS Golden Shoe with 29 league goalsappeared at Euro 2004

Bastian Schweinteiger Profile

The phrase "meteoric rise to fame" might have been coined especially for Bastian Schweinsteiger. Just two years ago, only intensely close observers of the youth football scene had heard the player's name, but now he is talked about all over Europe. "I don't think I'm getting too big for my boots, but you have to believe in yourself to survive at Bayern," the youngster said a year ago, and promptly clocked up 26 Bundesliga appearances in 2003-4, his first full season as a pro after emerging from the junior ranks at the club. To cap it all, he was promoted to the senior international side and made a refreshingly spontaneous contribution to Germany's otherwise lacklustre Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Position
Midfield
Date & place of birth
1 August 1984 in Kolbermoor
Star sign
Leo
Nickname
-
Height/weight/shoe size
1.81 m / 77 kg / 44
Marital status
single (partner Daniela)
Education
High school
Attributes
friendly, punctual, cunning
Hobbies
Music, meeting friends, Playstation
Motto
"Keep on believing in yourself"
Homepage
http://www.bastian-schweinsteiger.de/
Previous clubs
FV Oberaudorf (1990–92)TSV 1860 Rosenheim (1992–98)
Date signed
1 July 1998
Contract until
30 June 2009
Career record
Appeared at Euro 2004German championship 2003, 2005German Cup 2003, 2005League Cup 2004German U-17 championship 2001German U-19 championship 2002

Sebastian Deisler Profile

Sebastian Deisler is the most promising young talent in German football, experts and fans alike have agreed for a very long time now. Unfortunately, the stress is still on the 'promising' as the 25 year-old's career has been blighted by a series of setbacks which might have halted a lesser character is his tracks. The midfielder has had to battle career-threatening knee injuries, and lost half of 2003-4 to chronic depression. But the safe delivery of his first child opened a new perspective for the player, and he has completed an optimal pre-season programme for the first time ever. Bayern fans could be in for a rare treat as the spotlight falls on Deisler's undoubted talent in the future.

Position
Midfield
Date & place of birth
5 January 1980 in Lörrach
Star sign
Capricorn
Nickname
'Basti'
Height/weight/shoe size
1.82 m / 78 kg / 42 1/2
Marital status
single (partner Eunice), 1 son (Raphael)
Education
Technical college
Attributes
ambitious, tolerant
Hobbies
Basketball, food, music, movies
Motto
"Follow your own path"
Previous clubs
TV Turmringen (1985 - 88)TuS Stetten (1988 - 90)FV Lörrach (1990 - 1995)Borussia Mönchengladbach (1995 – 99)Hertha BSC Berlin (1999 – 2002)
Date signed
1 July 2002
Contract until
30 June 2009
Career record
German championship 2003, 2005German Cup 2003, 2005League Cup 2004

Owen Hargreaves Profile

For many of the budding youngsters in the Bayern youth section, Owen Hargreaves is the perfect role model, the first home-grown player to work his way through the Junior Team ranks and establish a firm foothold in the first team. The hard-working, unassuming midfielder's meteoric rise saw him claim Champions League honours with Munich and become a regular for Sven Göran Eriksson's England, appearing at both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 in Portugal. General manager Uli Hoeneß praised the utility man's flexibility: "He can play anywhere," the official enthused, a quality Felix Magath will have noted with interest.

Position
Midfield
Date & place of birth
20 January 1981 in Calgary (Canada)
Star sign
Capricorn
Nickname
-
Height/weight/shoe size
1.80 m / 73 kg / 43
Marital status
single (partner Janelle)
Education
High School
Attributes
quiet, determined, reserved
Hobbies
Music, movies, basketball, golf, reading
Motto
-
Homepage
http://www.owenhargreaves.de/
Previous clubs
Calgary Foothills FC (1994 - 97)
Date signed
1 July 1997
Contract until
30 June 2010
Career record
World Club Cup 2001Champions League 2001German championship 2001, 2003, 2005German Cup 2003, 2005League Cup 2004appeared at 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004

Ali Karimi Profile

Puzzled looks and scratching of heads accompanied the announcement that Bayern's first signing of the summer was a certain Ali Karimi, hardly a household name to the vast majority of football followers in Europe. However, the Iran playmaker is a superstar in his home region, and the 2004 Asian Player of the Year is now determined to make the breakthrough in Europe with Bayern. "I'm here to prove I'm a quality footballer," he declared. Felix Magath was delighted when the club sealed the player's signature. "Ali Karimi is a pacy, mobile and dangerous attacking midfielder," the Bayern coach commented, emphasising the utility man's ability to play on either side of midfield or even up front, justifying his reputation as the Asian Maradona.

Position
Midfield
Date & place of birth
8 November 1978
Star sign
Scorpio
Nickname
-
Height/weight/shoe size
1,79 m / - / -
Marital status
-
Education
-
Attributes
-
Hobbies
Beach volleyball
Motto
-
Homepage
http://www.alikarimi8.com/
Previous clubs
Persepolis Teheran (-2001)Al Ahli Dubai (2001 - 2005)
Date signed
1 July 2005
Contract until
30 June 2006
Career record
2004 Asian Player of the YearLeading scorer at 2004 Asia Cup

Oliver Kahn Profile

The two years following the 2002 World Cup have been tough for Oliver Kahn, as the bar he set so high in Japan and Korea became a rod for the giant keeper's back, gleefully wielded by an intrusive media and exacting a heavy toll both professionally and privately. After an average season at Bayern and Germany's early exit from Euro 2004 in Portugal, Kahn's current priority is to manage expectations down to a more healthy level. The Bayern keeper has asked the media to judge him on his performance as a footballer and help him focus 100 percent on sport. "I'm desperate to win trophies again," he said in the summer.

Position
Goalkeeper
Date & place of birth
15 June 1969 in Karlsruhe
Star sign
Gemini
Nickname
'Olli'
Height/weight/shoe size
1.88 m / 91 kg / 10 1/2
Marital status
married (to Simone),2 children (Katharina-Maria, David)
Education
Grammar school
Attributes
impatient, disciplined, ambitious
Hobbies
Golf, reading
Motto
"Never give up!"
Homepage
http://www.oliver-kahn.de/
Previous clubs
Karlsruher SC (1975 - 94)
Date signed
1 July 1994
Contract until
30 June 2008
Career record
Best Player and Best Goalkeeper at 2002 World CupWorld Goalkeeper of the Year 1999, 2001, 2002European Goalkeeper of the Year 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002German Player of the Year 2000, 2001German Goalkeeper of the Year 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002World Cup runner-up 2002European championship 1996World Club Cup 2001Champions League 2001UEFA Cup 1996German championship 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006German Cup 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006League Cup 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004

Philipp Lahm Profile

Apart from Andreas Ottl, Philipp Lahm is the only Munich-born player currently in the senior squad. Lahm spent eight years learning the trade with the 'junior team' youth section and the reserves before a spectacular senior breakthrough during a two-year loan spell with VfB Stuttgart, completing a stellar ascent by earning a place in the Germany team. "Even I never dreamed this would happen," the two-footed left-back confessed. However, even in his brief career to date, Lahm has experienced a couple of lows to balance the highs. After a stress fracture in January 2005, he sustained torn cruciate ligaments in May of the same year. Now back in Munich and reunited with ex-Stuttgart coach Felix Magath, Lahm is determined to recover his previous best. The youngster, who featured at EURO 2004, stunned his former and current boss at VfB by powering through even the most rigorous training routines, causing the chief to ask himself: "Am I suddenly doing something wrong?"

Position
Defence
Date & place of birth
11 November 1983 in Munich
Star sign
Scorpio
Nickname
-
Height/weight/shoe size
1.70 m / 64 kg / 43
Marital status
single (partner Nevena)
Education
High school
Attributes
-
Hobbies
Basketball, music, meeting friends
Homepage
http://www.philipplahm.de/
Motto
-
Previous clubs
FT München Gern (bis 1995)Bayern Munich (1995 - 2003)VfB Stuttgart (2003 - 2005, loan)
Date signed
1 July 2005
Contract until
30 June 2007
Career record
Appeared at EURO 2004German U-19 Youth Championship 2001, 2002

Lucio (Lucimar da Silva Ferreira) Profile

"I'd have preferred to sell Lucio abroad, otherwise he'll just come back and run rings round us in the Bundesliga," former Leverkusen manager Rainer Calmund sighed after the Brazil international completed his switch to Bayern. Calmund's worst fears could yet come true: Lucio is an acknowledged world-class star, a defender who scores goals, dribbles like a winger and looses off a cannonball shot, although there is much more to the man than footballing skill. Lucio speaks German, shoulders responsibility and is a proven winner, the kind of personal qualities which always go down well in Munich.

Position
Defence
Date & place of birth
8 May 1978 in Brasilia (Brazil)
Star sign
Taurus
Nickname
'Lucio'
Height/weight/shoe size
1.88 / 84 kg / 10
Marital status
Married to DioneTwo children (Victoria, Joao Victor)
Education
Grammar school
Attributes
Persevering, friendly, hard-working
Hobbies:
Movies, tennis, strolling with the family
Motto
'Work hard and trust in God'
Previous clubs
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2001-2004)Internacional Porto Alegre (1998-2000)Clube Regatas Guara (1995-1997)Planaltina EC
Date signed
1 July 2004
Contract until
30 June 2010
Career record
German championship 2005German Cup 2005League Cup 2004FIFA World Cup 2002Confederations Cup 2005Champions League runner-up 2002 (with Leverkusen)

Willy Sagnol Profile

When it comes to training, Willy Sagnol and Felix Magath occupy opposite ends of the spectrum. The new Bayern coach has a reputation for rigorous and demanding workouts, but right-back Sagnol freely admits he is "a bit lazy" and "not a morning person" – although no-one would guess from the player's energetic displays on the pitch. The France international has been one of the club's most consistent performers recently, emerging as a specialist in delivering pinpoint crosses to the back post from deep midfield. Sagnol's energy and bite have made him a real crowd favourite, greeted by a huge shout of "Willyyyy!!" from the terraces when he sets off on one of his darting bursts.

Position
Defence
Date & place of birth
18 March 1977 in St. Etienne (France)
Star sign
Pisces
Nickname
-
Height/weight/shoe size
1.82 m / 81 kg / 43
Marital status
single (partner Laetitia), 1 daughter (Chiara)
Education
High school
Attributes
loyal, warm, generous
Hobbies
Movies, music, travel, TV, shopping
Motto
"Live and let live!"
Previous clubs
AS St. Etienne (1990–97)AS Monaco (1997–00)
Date signed
1 July 2000
Contract until
30 June 2010
Career record
World Club Cup 2001Champions League 2001German championship 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006German Cup 2003, 2005, 2006League Cup 2000, 2004French championship 2000 with Monacoappeared at 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004

Arjen Robben Career And Biography

CAREER

Date of birth: 23 January 1984Height: 181 cmWeight: 80 kgPosition: ForwardCurrent Club: Chelsea (ENG)Int'l Goals: 7 (as of 25-Jun-2006)Int'l Caps: 23 (as of 25-Jun-2006)First Int'l Cap: Netherlands v. Portugal (30-Apr-2003)00-01 FC Groningen 2 Goals, 18 Games 01-02 FC Groningen 6 Goals, 28 Games 02-03 PSV Eindhoven 12 Goals, 33 Games 03-04 PSV Eindhoven 5 Goals, 23 Games 04-05 Chelsea 7 Goals, 18 Games 05-06 Chelsea 6 Goals, 28 . BIOGRAPHY "Robben is all set to have a fabulous career. He knows that I expect a lot from him, but I am sure he is going to live up to all my expectations." So said Johan Cruyff, Dutch icon, one of the greatest footballers the world has seen and, evidently, a fully-fledged member of the Arjen Robben fan club. For Robben, such remarks have become almost run-of-the-mill. Hype and expectation have, after all, been constant companions throughout the little winger’s career, with the 22-year-old merely left to justify his billing as one of world football’s most exciting emerging talents. Germany 2006 will be Robben’s first FIFA World Cup™, and many consider him the ace in the Netherlands’ pack. In the three-pronged attack preferred by Marco van Basten, he and Ruud van Nistelrooy are adjudged certainties to take up the left and central roles respectively, leaving the likes of Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Roy Makaay to jostle for the remaining slot. By the start of May this year, Robben had 18 senior caps and six international goals to his name, and the high point of his career with the Oranje to date came in Portugal two years ago, when he produced a series of scintillating performances in the Netherlands’ ultimately ill-fated bid to win UEFA EURO 2004. His debut for the national side had come 14 months earlier in a 1-1 draw with Portugal and, in truth, the 22-year-old would have amassed a great deal more international experience by now were it not for a string of frustrating hamstring and metatarsal injuries that have stunted his progress. He did, however, contribute a couple of goals to the Netherlands’ successful qualification for the Germany 2006, as well as scoring twice against Germany in a 2-2 friendly draw. Hopes are high then that his renowned pace and trickery will be used to devastating effect in the country where Cruyff and Co thrilled the world en route to a heart-breaking Final defeat in 1974. Robben, born in Bedum on 23 January 1984, was not around to see those halcyon days of ‘Total football’ and was little more than a toddler when his current international manager spearheaded a memorable Dutch triumph at the 1988 European Championship. However, since beginning his career with FC Groningen in November of 2000 and winning the club’s Player of the Year award while still just 17, the winger has set about making history all of his own. PSV gambled 4.2million Euros on him realising his potential at that fledging stage of his career and, after loaning the teenager back to Gronigen for a season, reaped their rewards when he returned to the Philips Stadium and immediately struck up a deadly partnership with Mateja Kezman, a player against whom he is likely to line up on 11 June, when the Netherlands lock horns with Serbia and Montenegro. The Dutch title was secured with ease in his first full season with PSV and, though the following campaign was punctuated by a string of injuries that at one stage threatened his involvement at EURO 2004, that did not dissuade Manchester United and Chelsea from entering into a battle for his signature from which the super-rich London club eventually emerged triumphant. His first season in England again saw injuries hamper his progress, but though Chelsea would have preferred to see a greater quantity of appearances from the young Dutchman, there was no disputing his quality. Robben appeared more frequently in the 2005/06 campaign and arrived in Germany having helped Chelsea capture a second successive Premiership title.

IF YOU COULD SIGN ONE EACH PLAYER IN PREMIERSHIP TEAM,WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE?

Arsenal -( )Aston Villa -( )Blackburn -( )Bolton -( )Charlton -( )Chelsea -( )Everton -( )Fulham -( )Liverpool -( )Manchester City -( )Manchester Utd -( )Middlesbrough -( )Newcastle Utd -( )Portsmouth -( )Reading -( )Sheffield Utd -( )Tottenham -( )Watford -( )West Ham -Wigan -( )

WHAT IS THE TIME FOR REAL SHEVCHENKO RETURN

When Andriy Shevchenko joined Chelsea, Jose Mourinho described it as "a day when the dream became reality". Six months later the words dream and Shevchenko appear in the same sentence about as regularly as Steve Harmison and wicket. Some must imagine the Ukrainian hopes the episode will turn out to be a bad dream and he will find himself back in Milan.The reality is that Shevchenko is determined to succeed at Chelsea but doubts are growing about whether he will be able to produce the form that prompted a delighted Roman Abramovich to part with £30m to purchase him in May. A peripheral performance at Old Trafford on Sunday was the latest occasion on which the striker made little impact, and it came after suggestions that the scale of the match would bring out the best in him.
Tonight's game at Bolton is unlikely to have him salivating but Chelsea have made big statements there over the past two seasons, clinching the title with a win in 2005 and taking an important step towards retaining it with another victory a year later. Shevchenko, if selected, could make a notable statement of his own by shining at a venue that traditionally tests a visitor's quality and character.
Regardless, it remains too early to write him off, given the scale of his past achievements. His five goals from 18 Chelsea appearances, including the Community Shield, compare favourably with Thierry Henry's start at Arsenal. On this day in 1999 Henry had scored four times in 18 games. The Frenchman was, though, just slipping into the form that would see him finish the season with 26 domestic and European goals.
The comparison has to be treated with care, even if it illustrates that acclimatising to the Premiership takes time. Henry was just reverting to playing as a central striker after a period on the flanks, was frequently used as a substitute and, at 22, was always likely to improve. Shevchenko turned 30 in September and questions are being asked about whether Chelsea finally got him a year or so too late.
Such issues were not being debated with anything like the same frequency only 18 days ago when he scored in his third consecutive Chelsea game, against Watford, and it must be noted that he has started only twice since then. Yet one of the most striking aspects of his recent displays has been a lack of pace. Against West Ham and Werder Bremen he appeared to have got beyond a defender only to be caught and dispossessed.
"You think each week that goes by, 'Is he going to get a bit sharper and fitter and stronger?' and at the moment it doesn't quite seem to be happening," says the former Chelsea midfielder Gavin Peacock, although he emphasises the need to allow Shevchenko a period of adjustment. "He has banged in a few goals, and then you thought the floodgates might open, but I think a combination of things [have held him back].
"I don't think he's as quick as he used to be. He's lost half a yard and Shevchenko was quick but never Henry quick. Having lost half a yard it is stopping him getting there but I think he has got enough clever movement, if used in the right way, to be effective.
"With the fact that Chelsea have played a [midfield] diamond a lot they are not getting so many crosses in."
Peacock feels Shevchenko would benefit from at least one of Arjen Robben and Joe Cole being in the team. "I think he needs the ball to be carried and worked to that final third and then his quick brain can get him into positions and I think we would see more from him," he says. "I wouldn't write him off in November. I know Chelsea were looking at him a lot last season, and his record is huge."
A striker interesting Chelsea now, according to reports, is Valencia's David Villa but the Spanish club's president, Juan Soler, said yesterday: "We have no intention of selling him. But should any club be interested they could sit down and negotiate his buy-out clause, which is currently worth €150m [£100m]."
Even Chelsea might consider that steep, and Shevchenko received strong support from Chris Coleman, whose Fulham team kept out the striker during September's defeat. "It's only a matter of time," Coleman said. "Look at [Didier] Drogba when he came over - he couldn't get to grips with it. He just couldn't get with the pace of the game and was having a bad time, getting bad press, and opposition supporters were giving him stick for diving. But look at him now. He's a formidable player and there's no reason why that won't happen to Shevchenko.
"I know they are two different players but once he finds his feet he'll be just as good."
Strike rate
Season Played Goals Strike rate
Dynamo Kiev
1994-95 16 1 6.3%
1995-96 31 16 51.6%
1996-97 20 6 30%
1997-98 23 19 82.6%
1998-99 26 18 69.2%
Milan
1999-00 32 24 75%
2000-01 34 24 70.6%
2001-02 29 15 51.7%
2002-03 23 5 21.7%
2003-04 32 24 75%
2004-05 29 17 65.5%
2005-06 28 19 67.9%
Chelsea
2006-07 12 3 25%

Barcelona Is Rated Most Attractive Soccer Team for Sponsors

Bloomberg) — European champion Barcelona is the most attractive soccer team for corporate sponsorship, according to a survey by sports marketing company Global Sponsors.
Barcelona, which beat Arsenal 2-1 in May's final of Europe's elite Champions League, tops England's Manchester United and Spanish rival Real Madrid in the survey, the London- based company said in an e-mailed press release."Barcelona have built a capable corporate communication platform in a relatively short space of time,'' Global Sponsors' commercial director Michael Stirling said in the statement. "The club have developed innovative ways of reaching a global audience.''
Barcelona's appeal has "been enhanced'' by the high profile of world player of the year Ronaldinho and manager Frank Rijkaard, Stirling said. Reaching the Champions League final also increased its television coverage.
Barcelona this season is promoting the United Nations Children's Fund on its jerseys after shunning commercial offers worth 20 million euros ($26.3 million) a year for its first-ever uniform sponsor.
Its form has also boosted income from ticket sales, advertising and TV rights. In June it agreed to sell broadcast rights for its games to TV production company Grupo Mediapro in a deal worth more than 1 billion euros over seven years, more than double its previous deal.
Chelsea, Premiership champion the past two seasons, is ranked fourth by Global Sponsors. The club's owner Roman Abramovich has spent more than 375 million pounds ($730 million) on players since buying the club in 2003.
England also has two other teams in the 10 club list, with Arsenal and Liverpool ranked seventh and eighth. AC Milan is fifth, four spots ahead of city rival Inter, even though it was implicated in Italy's match-fixing scandal.
The survey of 100 of Global Sponsors' contacts and clients used a points system to rank clubs on criteria including quality of current sponsors, average attendance, global media profile and attraction of star players.
Rankings:
1. Barcelona2. Manchester United3. Real Madrid4. Chelsea5. AC Milan6. Bayern Munich7. Arsenal8. Liverpool9. Inter Milan10. Lyon

POWERFUL HEADER FROM BALLACK GIVE CHELSEA 3 POINTS AT REEBOOK STADIUM

BOLTON, England (AFP) - Michael Ballack headed home a first half winner as Chelsea maintained their relentless pursuit of Premiership leaders Manchester United with a 1-0 win at Bolton.
The German international notched his fourth goal of the season seconds before the break as Jose Mourinho's side showed Arsenal how to deal with Bolton on their own ground.Mourinho kept faith with the same side that earned a hard-fought point at arch-rivals United last weekend.
Counterpart Sam Allardyce, meanwhile, made one change with Ivan Campo replacing the injured Quinton Fortune as Bolton looked to follow-up their impressive destruction of Arsene Wenger's side last time out.
Chelsea, however, have happy memories of the Reebok, where they had not been beaten since 1997 and also clinched their Premiership title on the same ground in 2005.
Bolton have never been a team to care much about reputations, though and almost stunned Chelsea by taking the lead inside three minutes.
Nicky Hunt lobbed in a speculative cross which Carlo Cudicini failed to reach after slipping but Kevin Davies failed to hit the target with a free header from close range.
The home side were proving hard to break down as usual and it took Chelsea almost 20 minutes to threaten Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal but Frank Lampard's tame effort failed to trouble the Bolton goalkeeper.
Moments later Didier Drogba escaped the attentions of Abdoulaye Meite but saw his cross deflected across the face of Jaaskelainen's goal as the home side began to fade after a bright start.
Lampard tried his luck again within 60 seconds, lashing a dipping free kick from fully 40 yards that forced Jaaskelainen into an awkward save as the visitors began to build up some momentum.
Bolton continued to ride their luck, with Ricardo Carvalho heading Lampard's corner against the post before Michael Essien drilled the half clearance inches over the crossbar.
Claude Makelele had to produce a crucial challenge on El Hadji Diouf ten minutes before the break but it was Chelsea forcing the pace and creating the better chances.
Diouf while Tal Ben Haim was forced to head clear from underneath his own crossbar under pressure from John Terry.
Jaaskelainen produced a stunning save to keep out Andriy Shevchenko's powerful drive but Chelsea struck the killer blow right on half time when Ballack got ahead of Davies to meet Lampard's corner and direct a powerful header inside the near post and finally break the deadlock.
Jaaskelainen denied Lampard with another fine save as the England international looked to hand Chelsea a cushion.
The closest Bolton came to fashioning an equaliser was on 53 minutes when Nicolas Anelka just failed to reach Diouf's free kick when the slightest of touches would have seen Cudicini beaten.
Anelka also headed wide a sublime cross from Hunt four minutes later when he should have hit the target and Bolton's hopes of salvaging a point had gone.

GIOVANNI BIOGRAPHY

12
Gio
Giovanni Van BronckhorstRotterdam (Holland)05 February 1975176 cm72 kg41 international
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Biography
Giovanni van Bronckhorst learnt his trade in the youth ranks of Dutch club Feyenoord but has spent most of his professional career abroad. He joined FC Barcelona for the 2003-04 season, on-loan from Premier League side Arsenal. After a great first season, Gio signed a definitive transfer deal with FC Barcelona.
He took his first steps as a professional with RKC Waalwijk in the 1993-94 season on loan from Feyenoord and then returned to Rotterdam for the following four seasons, where he played alongside Henrik Larsson. He started to make a name for himself on the international stage which led to a move to Glasgow Rangers in the 1998-99 season, where he stayed for three seasons at the orders of Dutch coach Dick Advocaat.
His successes in Scottish football brought him to the attention of Arsenal, who signed him for 13 million euros for the 2001-02 season. At the orders of French coach Arsène Wenger, Gio won the Premier League title in the 2001-2002 season. A cruciate knee ligament injury kept him sidelined for most of the 2002-03 season.
Since he joined Barca in the summer of 2003, Gio has been a regular in Rijkaard's team. He made his debut in the starting line-up in the opening game of the season at San Mamés just days after signing for the Club and went on to play 34 league matches.
In the following season, the left of the defence was strengthened by the arrival of Sylvinho and the two players have provided excellent cover for the left back position since then. Gio played 29 matches in the title-winning 2004-05 season, scoring 4 goals, an outstanding contribution from a fullback.
A full international with Holland, he made his debut in 1996 against Brazil (2-2).In the 2005-06 season, Gio continued competing for the left back position with Sylvinho, but was given more opportunities in the Champions League. In fact, he was the only player to appear in all 13 games in the competition, and only missed 21 minutes of the away game at Chelsea through injury.

VICTOR BIOGRAPHY

1
Víctor
Victor Valdes ArribasHospitalet del Llobregat (Spain)14 January 1982183 cm78 kg
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Biography
Víctor Valdés joined Barca as a youngster on 1st July 1992, from Peña Cinco Copas. In September of the same year he moved with his family to Tenerife and didn't rejoin the club until three years later.
After quickly proving his worth with the youth teams and Barca B, the club coaches decided that the 2002-2003 season was to be Valdés time to form part of the first team squad. At first, he alternated appearances with Roberto Bonano but finished the season as regular first choice under Radomir Antic.
He consolidated his place as in the starting line-up in the 2003-04 season. He played most of Barca's matches that season and put in some excellent performances, helping the team to finish as runners-up.

OLEGUER BIOGRAPHY

23
Oleguer
Oleguer Presas RenomBarcelona (Spain)2 February 1980187 cm82 kgDebut 13 November 2002
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Biography
Oleguer was born in Sabadell, some 20 kilometres from Barcelona. He started his footballing career with clubs in his home town, before moving to the nearby Division 2B side UEA Gramenet B.
He made his first team debut with Gramenet in the 1998-1999 season and stayed there for the next three seasons. He signed for FC Barcelona at the age of 21 in the 2001-02 season and went straight into the Barca B team.
The following season, Van Gaal gave him his first team debut on 24th August 2002 against Red Star (1-0) in the Joan Gamper tournament. His first competitive match was against Galatasaray (3-1) in the Champions League on 13th November 2002 in the Nou Camp.
Throughout the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons he alternated his appearances with the first team with those with Barca B. He made the definitive leap to the first team in January 2004 and since then has become one of the players most used by Frank Rijkaard. He played 36 games in the league and 7 in the Champions League. Oleguer also scored his only ever goal for the club in Malaga, the first in a 4-0 win on April 24, 2005.
In the 2005-06 season, Oleguer consolidated his position as a right back, sometimes also filling in as a centre back. The player from Sabadell appeared in 33 League, 11 Champions League and 3 Cup matches

BELLETTI BIOGRAFY

2
Belletti
Juliano BellettiCascavel (Brasil)20 June 1976179 cm74 kgDebut 16 July 2004
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Biography
The first new signing of president Joan Laporta's second season at the helm, he was unveiled as a Barca player on 22nd June 2004. He moved from Spanish first division rivals Villarreal, with whom he won the Intertoto Cup and reached the semi-finals the UEFA Cup in the 2003-04 season.
Juliano Belletti began his professional career in 1993 with Cruzeiro, where he stayed for 2 years. In 1995 he moved to Sao Paulo, becoming one of the lynchpins of the team. He spent a year on loan with Atlético MG (1998-1999) and then returned to Sao Paulo.
He moved to the Spanish league for the 2002-2003 season. He wasted no time in demonstrating his skills at right back and soon came to the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs.
He made his Barça debut in the first game of the league campaign against Ràcing Santander on August 29, 2004 and soon became the first choice right back. In his first season in a Barcelona shirt, Belletti played 31 league games and 8 in the Champions League.
In the 2005-06 season, Belletti competed for the right back position with Oleguer Press. The Brazilian played 27 league games. But Belletti's name was cemented in FC Barcelona folklore when he scored the winner that clinched the club's second Champions League title in Paris on May 17, 2006. It was his first ever goal for Barça.

Official sponsors

PUYOL BIOGRAPHY

5
Puyol
Carles Puyol SaforcadaPobla de Segur (Spain)13 April 1978178 cm80 kgDebut 2 October 1999
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Biography
Carles Puyol began his footballing career in the local team of the small town where he was born, La Pobla de Segur in the north of Catalonia. His talent soon attracted wider attention and, at the age of 17, he was signed up for the Barca academy at La Masía.
He rapidly became a fixture in Barca B and then progressed to make his debut with the first team on 2nd October 1999 against Valladolid at the orders of Louis Van Gaal. His appearances became more and more frequent until he made the right back position his own. Thanks to his determination to improve and a tremendous work rate, Carles Puyol adapted to the position of central defender.
In the 2003-2004 season, having been chosen as third captain, he played a vital role in the team's sensational run of form that led to the runners-up place in the league. Puyol made 27 appearances in the league and seven in the UEFA Cup.
However, Carles Puyol had to wait until the 2004-05 season to win his first medal with Barca. He was, by then, captain of the first team and an essential part of Frank Rijkaard's league championship winning side. At the end of the season, he finally saw his dream come true of lifting the league trophy in the Nou Camp.
During the 2005-06 season, he played as well as he had the previous year. The Barça captain had the honour of being presented with the league title trophy before the game against Espanyol, before lifting the UEFA Champions League in Paris after the monumental victory against Arsenal in the Saint-Denis Stadium. Puyol only missed five matches all season and none through injury. On three occasions he was rested by coach Frank Rijkaard and was then suspended for the other two games which he did not play in. He also scored one goal as he headed home during the 5-0 victory against Real Sociedad on October 30, 2005.
Carles Puyol is a regular in the Spanish national team and took part in the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 European Nations Cup and in the World Cup Finals in 2006

MARQUEZ BIOGRAPHY

4
Márquez
Rafael Márquez ÁlvarezZamora (Mexico)13 February 1979182 cm74 kg35 internationalDebut 10 August 2003
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Biography
Rafael Márquez is the first Mexican ever to play for Barça, having arrived in the 2003-2004 close season as one of the principal reinforcements in defence. His youth and the progress he's enjoyed in the last few years have combined to make him one of the most promising defenders in Europe.
Beginning his career at Atlas Guadalajara (1996-99) he made his debut in the Mexican first division when he was just 17 years old. Three years later he signed for AS Monaco where he soon fit into the demands of the European game. In 2000 he won the French League title and was named as the league's top defender.
In 2003 his team won the French League Cup. Captain of the Mexican national team he played in the 1999 and 2001 Copas de America and the 2002 World Cup.
Márquez has gained the complete respect and trust of Frank Rijkaard and has become a regular in the Barcelona team. In his first season at the club he was one of the key figures as the side earned direct qualification for the Champions League.
In 2004-05, he demonstrated his versatility. The knee ligament injuries to Edmilson and Thiago Motta meant that Márquez was asked to step away from his usual role in the centre of the defence and play as a defensive midfielder, as he had done for both Monaco and Mexico in the past. He proved to be outstanding in front of the defence as he helped the side win the league title.
As well as winning the Confederations Cup in 1999 and the Gold Cup in 2003, the captain of Mexico has been a regular for his national side under various coaches over the past few years. Márquez has played in the Copa America in 1999, 2001 and 2004 and the World Cup in 2002.

GIULY BIOGRAPHY

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Giuly
Ludovic GiulyLyon (France)10 July 1976164 cm64 kgDebut 20 July 2004
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Biography
Ludovic Giuly took his first steps in professional football with his hometown team, Olympique Lyonnais, at the age of 18. He stayed for four seasons (1994-95 to 1997-98).
A key figure in his early development, Jean Tigana, took him to Monaco where he quickly earned widespread admiration under the orders of another former legendary French international, Didier Deschamps.
He stayed with Monaco from 1997 until 2004, winning both titles and international recognition. In the 2003-04 season, Giuly helped Monaco reach the final of the Champions League where they lost to Porto.
Thanks to his efforts with Monaco, he made his international debut with France against Scotland in 2000. He was selected for the French squad for EURO 2004 but had to pull out after he was injured in the Champions League final.
He moved to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2004. Giuly made his official Barça debut on August 29, 2004 at Ràcing Santander, starting the match and playing the full 90 minutes. He soon won his place as the first choice right winger and in an excellent debut season he played 29 league matches and 6 in the Champions League, scoring 12 goals.
In the 2005-06 season, Giuly competed for place with Leo Messi and Henrik Larsson. But he still played 29 league matches, 20 as a starter, and scored 5 goals. In the Champions League, it was his goal away to Milan that sent Barcelona into the Champions League Final in Paris.

EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN BIOGRAPHY

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Gudjohnsen
Eidur GudjohnsenReykyavik (Iceland)15 September 1978185 cm82 kg
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Biography
Eidur Smari Gudjohnsen is the first player to play for Barca from Iceland, a country perhaps better known in sporting circles for handball or cross country skiing than football.
Gudjohnsen began to make his mark as a footballer from a young age, perhaps inspired by his father, who was also an Icelandic full international. When he was just 16, Eidur made his debut in the Icelandic league and ended up with 7 goals in 17 games - a return that caught the eye of PSV Eindhoven for whom he played for the following two seasons.
Gudjohnsen returned to his native Iceland to play for KR Reykjavik in the 97-98 season before signing for the Premier League club Bolton Wanderers, where he played for two seasons before joining Chelsea. He left the London club to replace Larson at Barca with a record of 62 goals in 219 games in his 6 years at Stamford Bridge, am experienced player with an impressive cv at the highest level.

ETO'O BIOGRAPHY

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Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o FilsNkon (Cameroon)10 March 1981180 cm75 kgDebut 18 August 2004
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Biography
Samuel Eto'o Fils made an impact on the world of football while still a teenager. He has exceptional physical qualities and made the leap to European football at the tender age of just 16 when Real Madrid signed him up and loaned him out to second division Leganés. At the age of 17 years and 3 months he became the youngest player at the 1998 World Cup in France and was the only player who had been born in the '80's.
After Leganés, he went on loan to RCD Espanyol (1998-1999) but played very little and subsequently retuned to Real Madrid (1999-2000). In the 1999-00 season, he played a few times for RCD Mallorca, eventually spending four seasons there (2000-04), with the Balearic Island club sharing his rights with Real Madrid.
During his time with Mallorca, he became the highest ever league goal scorer in the history of the club, with 54 goals. He signed for Barca in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee of 24 million euros after a long series of three-way negotiations with RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid, thus becoming the first Cameroonian player to defend the Barca colours. He made his debut for FC Barcelona in the first game of the season at Ràcing Santander, on August 29, 2004.
Since then, he has become a veritable goal machine, scoring 25 times in his first season and making a huge contribution to winning the championship. His goal against Levante clinched the league title. He has needed just 67 matches to reach the landmark figure of 50 goals, outstripping some of the great Barca legends of the past.
Since he joined the Club he has been chosen as African Player of the Year 2004, 2005 and 2006, and picked up third place in the FIFA World Player 2005. He is a full international and one of the outstanding players in the Cameroon team and has a huge popular following in his country.In the 2005-06 season, he was the top scorer in the Spanish League with 26 goals. In the Champions League Final on May 17 in Paris, it was Eto'o who scored Barcelona's equaliser after the Blaugrana had gone a goal down to Arsenal.